Sept/Oct 2013 - Inside Chappaqua

Technology in Town:
Changing the Way Chappaqua Works
The purpose of
technology is to make
life safer, easier, and
more interesting for
people everywhere.
This has certainly been
the case in New Castle,
where recent technological
initiatives have
changed the way the
town functions. New
technological advancements
and communication
developments
cover all facets of life
in Chappaqua; here are
just a few examples of
the myriad benefits
residents and students have received
over the past year:
Adjusting Post-Hurricane Sandy
The ferocity of Hurricane Sandy,
the infamous late-October storm, took
many by surprise. Seventy percent of
households in Chappaqua lost electricity,
and schools were closed for almost
two weeks as the town went through
the lengthy process of rehabilitation.
Sandy was a wake-up call for the town,
as it was clear that the traditional
system of communications would not
suffice if a similar natural disaster were
to occur in the future.
Before and during the hurricane,
the town utilized a system called Nixle
to cover its communication needs.
The system sent advisory messages to
citizens containing important safety
information and reported road closings
via text messages and email.
What this system lacked, however,
was an element of vital importance in
emergencies: a telephone component.
“The more information we can get to
the residents,” said Town Administrator
Penny Paderewski, “the better it is
for everyone.”
Hence the reason, in early January
of this year, a new safety system was
introduced, called CodeRED. This new
18 Inside Chappaqua September/October 2013
By Rachel Neuburger
alert system sends not only emails and
text messages, but also delivers “robocalls,”
pre-recorded messages with
safety updates, to both cellular devices
and home phones. These telephone
messages are of particular importance
during emergency situations–such as
devastating hurricanes–and can be
sent by the Town Administrator or
Commissioner of Public Works.
In addition to the implementation
of CodeRED, the town has also established
a new mapping system, viewable
by residents on their computers, that
shows where road blockages are during
major weather situations. Just like
CodeRED, this system will only be in
operation during significant storms.
Bringing Schools Up-To-Date
The Chappaqua school district is
dedicated to applying emerging technology
to the learning experience–a
commitment embodied in the hard
work done by the district’s Technology
Department. Led by Director of Instructional
Technology Darleen Nicolosi,
the department looks to evolve
the understanding of what it means to
be a 21st-century learner, and to help
students use technology creatively,
productively, and responsibly.
One of the most prominent and
lauded examples of the Technology
Department’s work can be found in the
L.I.F.E. School, an alternative-learning
community at Horace Greeley High
School. For the 2012-2013 school
year, the L.I.F.E. School
received a grant for a
one-year iPad program
for juniors. According
to program director Jon
Hirsch, the iPads serve
as an enormous gamechanger
for students,
greatly benefiting
the collaborative and
research-oriented environment
for which the
program is known. The
iPads are used to make
videos, presentations,
and projects, and their
Internet capabilities allow
for the use of Twitter
and messaging as learning tools.
“They are very helpful for communication
and organization,” said L.I.F.E.
school senior Olivia Sackler.
While Chappaqua high school
students reap many benefits from the
Technology Department, the department’s
initiatives extend to all students.
Elementary school classrooms
are well equipped for the modern
learning experience: each contains a
Windows computer cluster with one
computer connected to a presentation
monitor.
In addition, the music classrooms at
the elementary schools are equipped
with SMART boards and other SMART
technology that enhances music
lessons and allows students to view
concerts from the convenience of the
classroom. With these tools at hand,
younger students can learn in an interactive
fashion, exploring the wealth
of learning opportunities that will be
available to them in years to come,
while simultaneously establishing fundamental
research and study skills.
Perhaps the most unexpected and
unique of this year’s technological
initiatives, however, can be found at
Seven Bridges Middle School: through
a Chappaqua School Foundation grant
–one of the most common sources of
funding for technological projects–art
students use Cintiq drawing tablets
continued on page 19